Mexican manufacturers of illegal marijuana bricks have driven down prices as residents in California, Colorado, and Washington state now have safe access to reasonably affordable medical marijuana and/or recreational cannabis.

“Two or three years ago, a kilogram [2.2 pounds] of marijuana was worth $60 to $90,” a Mexican marijuana grower told NPR news in December 2014. “But now they’re paying us $30 to $40 a kilo. It’s a big difference. If the U.S. continues to legalize pot, they’ll run us into the ground.”

The falling price is also compounded with the cartels’ pressure to grow better pot, as many Americans can now legally purchase highly potent strains at their local dispensaries.

“The quality of marijuana produced in Mexico and the Caribbean is thought to be inferior to the marijuana produced domestically in the United States or in Canada,” the DEA wrote last year in its 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment. “Law enforcement reporting indicates that Mexican cartels are attempting to produce higher-quality marijuana to keep up with U.S. demand.”

Despite the good news, however, Mexican cartels are slowly beginning to offset the revenue lost to cannabis law reform by producing more heroin and methamphetamines.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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Cannabis was sold in California pharmacies until the '30s, when racism-tinged laws banned it under its Mexican street name, "marijuana".

Cannabis was sold in California pharmacies until the '30s, when racism-tinged laws banned it under its Mexican street name, "marijuana".

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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Californians like the ones at this peace rally in San Francisco first attempted to re-legalize cannabis at the ballot box in the '70s, kicking off decades of failed efforts.

Californians like the ones at this peace rally in San Francisco first attempted to re-legalize cannabis at the ballot box in the '70s, kicking off decades of failed efforts.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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In 1996, California voters legalized medical marijuana, kicking off two decades of national change.

In 1996, California voters legalized medical marijuana, kicking off two decades of national change.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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In 2004, SB 420 expanded medical marijuana defenses beyond patients and caregivers to groups of them, paving the way for storefront dispensaries, as shown.

In 2004, SB 420 expanded medical marijuana defenses beyond patients and caregivers to groups of them, paving the way for storefront dispensaries, as shown.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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In 2010, Oakland businessman Rich Lee attempted to legalize cannabis with Prop 19. It was defeated 46-54 by police and far-left pot groups who claimed Prop 19 would lead to "Big Marijuana". Police and street dealers celebrated the defeat. less

In 2010, Oakland businessman Rich Lee attempted to legalize cannabis with Prop 19. It was defeated 46-54 by police and far-left pot groups who claimed Prop 19 would lead to "Big Marijuana". Police and street ... more

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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Medical pot seemed legal at the beginning of President Obama's tenure, but by 2010 he had unleashed a crackdown far greater than under George W. Bush.

Medical pot seemed legal at the beginning of President Obama's tenure, but by 2010 he had unleashed a crackdown far greater than under George W. Bush.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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The Drug Policy Alliance attorney Tamar Todd holds a Magic 8-Ball at a legalization conference in 2013. The DPA will join the ACLU, and other groups in a 2016 bid for legalization.

The Drug Policy Alliance attorney Tamar Todd holds a Magic 8-Ball at a legalization conference in 2013. The DPA will join the ACLU, and other groups in a 2016 bid for legalization.

Photo: David Downs / for SmelltheTruth.org

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Legal marijuana causes Mexican drug cartel revenues to plummet

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“Those trying to understand what has happened with U.S. cannabis consumption and imports over the past decade need to pay close attention to licensed and unlicensed production in medical states, especially California,” said Beau Kilmer of the RAND Corporation to the Post.

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